ABSTRACT
During the last three decades of his life, Ludvig Holberg published his autobiography in no fewer than four successive parts. In the Autobiographical Letters, with their explicit commitment to historical truth, the fictive setting does, however, create a particular tension. In the course of the letter, Holberg sometimes hints that he has met criticism and acquired enemies, a theme that gains momentum once he touches upon his literary disputes with his rival Andreas Hojer. Holberg's overwhelming influence on Danish and Norwegian cultural life is due to the fact that he created a literature in Danish. All three letters addressed to the anonymous friend, the Vir Perillustris, purport to be written at his request. The illusion allows Holberg to let the Vir Perillustris praise Holberg's witty and playful literary creativity. The issue of trustworthiness is also raised when Holberg takes up his obligations as reporter of reality and the demands of historiography that his narrative has to fulfill.
